Day 8: She's Doing Okay

Mommy received one unit of platelets. Her platelets were at an 8. Any time her levels fall below "10" they will transfuse platelets. Apparently with platelets, it doesn't matter what "type" of blood they came from. Mommy's a type "B" and the platelets are from a type "A." I came in and saw that and of course had to ask my mom (and the internet) why that was okay. :)


It's been over a week since her Hickman line was placed. Today they changed her dressing for the 2nd time. Since this line goes directly to the "big" vein that goes directly to the heart, it's very important that this stays clean and clear from infections. As the nurse changed the dressing a group of "quality control" people observed so they could make notes on how process and procedures could be improved. The area around the Hickman line seemed to be more bruised today than it had been. The doctors said it's okay. As long as it's not getting puffy, red and swollen, it's normal.


Sometimes it feels like I'm being super-paranoid about everything. But I figure it's better to ask and know it's normal than to think it's normal and find out later that something should have been done.

Her appetite was okay today. She was able to eat quite a bit of her meals today. She even ate her spaghetti and meatballs! (I must confess... it was I who ate the chocolate pudding.)



DAY 14: Day 14 will be a big day. We ask for your prayers for this day. On Day 14 (April 16th) they will do a bone marrow test to see if the chemo got rid of all the leukemia in the bone marrow. If it did, then they will begin giving her injections to help the "good" white blood cells grow. If it didn't get rid of all the leukemic cells, they will have t0 do a little more chemo.

Neutrophils are the White Blood Cells that are the first line of defense to fight off infection. Right now the chemotherapy should be killing the white blood cells (those that are leukemic and those that are good). Mommy's ANC (Absolute Neutrophil Count) is ZERO. This is why it's important that she not be exposed to any illness. When we find that all the leukemic cells are gone, they'll work on growing the good ones and when her ANC (now at ZERO) is at 500, then we'll be close to getting her home.

So... pray that Day 14 shows that chemo did it's job against the leukemia, and that her body will successfully grow and her ANC be at 500 in good time.

As the doctor left the room after his daily visit he said "She's doing okay." Thank God for her good progress.